Compartmentalized refrigerator



April 23, 1963 J. P. MALIA 3,086,830

COMPARTMENTALIZED REFRIGERATOR IN V EN TOR.

United States Patent 3,086,830 QGMPARTMENTALEZED REFRIGERATOR John Peter Malia, 33 E. Uedar St Chicago, Ill.

Filed June 9, 19%, Ser- No. 34,972 4 Claims. (-31. 3i2--2=39) This invention relates to a mechanical refrigerator combination comprising a cooled box type of refrigerator subdivided into main storage sections and provided with a base section, at least one of said sections being provided with a cooling unit.

The present application is a continuation-in-part of application Serial No. 618,502, filed October 26, 1956, now Patent No. 2,945,733 for improvement in compartmentalized refrigerator.

A basic object of the invention is to provide, within a single refrigerator, freezer, or refrigerator-freezer combination, at least three separate storage compartments so arranged that stored materials are readily accessible by the selective opening of one, two, or more sections, said sections being hinged to permit such opening. Present day refrigerator units, whether of the household or of the smaller commercial types, have typically a cavernous and deep main storage box, closed by means of a door. Such an arrangement renders storage and removal of items inconvenient and time-consuming, because of the usual necessity for arranging stored items behind one another, or in groups or stacks which make many of the items totally inaccessible without first removing unwanted items. The present day increasing use of standard frozen food packs, and the coincident increase in provision of freezer space in the typical unit, exaggerate the problems posed by the deep and inaccessible main box. Although many more or less complex methods, such as drawers, sliding or swinging shelves, etc., have been adopted in attempting to overcome these storage problems, none of the conventional solutions avoids the basic difficulty inherent in the conventional box.

It is another object of the invention to provide, in such a compartmentalized refrigerator unit, a base section for the main storage sections, so as to provide increased stability for such a compartmentalized structure.

It is another object of the invention to provide, in a compartmentalized refrigerator unit, a flat, stable, base section upon which the movable main storage sections may bear, by means of rollers, casters, tracks, or other means, so as to provide stability to, and prevent tipping of, the unit when the movable sections are opened in use, and also to facilitate the location of the unit on a floor or other surface on which, because of surface irregularities or other characteristics, movable sections which were floor-based might prove diflicult or inconvenient to use.

It is another object of the invention to provide, in a compartmentalized refri erator unit, a base section in which may be located the cooling unit or units, so as to free the space in the storage sections for use as storage space only.

Another object of the invention is to provide, in such a compartmentalized refrigerator unit, means for operating the separate storage sections at difierent temperatures.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a compartmentalized refrigerator unit having two front sections, adapted to use in situations in which there are two or more separate Work areas located on either side of a central area. Biological laboratories, for example, which commonly require refrigerator space for the storage of relatively large numbers of relatively small items, and which also may require some freezer storage space, are commonly arranged in the form of two (or more) main work areas, or actual room divisions, located on either side of a central area in which are placed storage facilities,

fitihfi h Patented Apr. 23, 1963 incubators, centrifuges, plumbing and gas lines, etc. In such a situation, the use of conventional refrigerators requires either that there be two units, one for each Work area, or that, if one unit alone be used, such a unit is inconveniently situated with respect to one work area.

These and other specific advantages and objects of the invention will be apparent from the following description.

The invention accordingly is embodied in a plural compartment refrigerator characterized by having three or more main storage sections, a base section connected to at least one of said storage sections, and refrigerating means contained within the base section and/or within one or more of the main storage sections, said main storage sections being further characterized by being hinged upon one another, and being provided with handle and latch means for selective opening of the sections, singly or in combination.

The invention, in several embodiments, is illustrated in the drawing, in which FIGURE 1 is a perspective view showing such a compartmentalized refrigerator with typical subdivisions, upon a base section.

FIGURE 2 is a perspective view of a modified form of such a compartmentalized refrigerator, the base section integral with one of the main storage sections.

FIGURE 3 is a view in perspective of a compartmentalized refrigerator such as shown in FIGURE 1 or FIGURE 2, the movable sections being opened.

FIGURE 3:: is an enlarged detail section of handle and latch means shown on the unit of FIGURE 3.

FIGURE 4 is a perspective view of another form of a compartmentalized refrigerator With base.

FIGURE 4a is an enlarged detail section of handle and latch means shown on the unit of FIGURE 4.

FIGURE 5 is a perspective view of another form of compartmentalized refrigerator with base.

FIGURE 6 is a plan view of the. unit of FIGURE 5, with the movable sections opened.

In the form of construction shown in the drawing, the refrigerator body is vertically subdivided and arranged with cooling coils in at least one section, in which case other sections not having separate cooling coils are cooled passively, by their proximity to the section actively cooled. In such a case, it is contemplated that the section having the cooling coils, at least, may be a freezer section. Separate cooling coils may, however, also be located in one or more of the other sections, as would be desirable if the entire unit were to serve as a freezer, or to be used for certain commercial applications requiring a larger box than could be cooled adequately by only one set of coils.

The refrigerating unit(s) supplying the cooling coils may be placed within one or more of the main storage sections, and/ or in the base section, as may be desired.

It is to be understood that, while the illustration is in terms of mechanical compressor units, the sections may be refrigerated by any other conventional means as Well, such as by use of absorption-type refrigerating units.

Referring now to the drawing in detail:

In FIGURE 1, 1t 12, and 14 represent main storage sections of the refrigerator body, and 11 represents a base section upon which the storage sections are placed. In this embodiment, it is contemplated that section 10 is stationary, and fixed upon base section 11. A refrigerating unit may be mounted in section 16, or, as contemplated here, in base 11. In either case, cooling coils are placed within section 10 to provide the desired cooling of interior space 32, said space 32 being provided with racks or sleeves 33 for storage of materials. In a typical instance, space 32 is entirely surround by the cooling coils, and contitutes a freezer section.

Section 12, the middle section, is hinged upon section 10, and also carries and internal arrangement of shelves.

While section 12 may be provided with independent cooling means and cooling coils, it is contemplated in this embodiment that section 12 is cooled passively, by virtue of its proximity to actively cooled section, An inner door, 34, is provided to separate section 10 from section 12 so that customary more frequent opening of a refrigerator section will not cause excessiveloss of cool air from the less frequently used freezer section. Inner door 34 may be nothing more than a self-supporting sheet of material such as plastic; it may be provided with louvers or slots, or may. be mounted so as to leave a gap at top and bottom, in order to provide for regulation of the transfer of cool air from section 10 to section 12.

Section 14 is the front movable section, and serves also as an outendoor for the unit. It is hinged upon section 12 is likewise provided with an internal arrangement of shelves, and is contemplated to be, in this embodiment, similarly cooled passively.

A double-acting handle, 1617, is provided on section 14; this double-acting handle permits selective opening of section 14 alone, or of sections 12 and 14 together from section 10, or of sections 12 and 14 from each and from section 10. Conventional handle and latch means could also be provided, alternatively, in which case a conventional front-mounted handle on section 14 would unlatch section 14 from section 12, while a side-mounted handle on section 12 would serve to unlatch section 12 from section 10.

In the embodiment shown, and assuming. all sections closed, pulling upon handle 16 opens section 14 from section 12, exposing the front aspect of section 12, and section 14. Alternatively, pulling upon handle 17 releases section 12 from section 10 (section 14 remaining closed upon the front aspect of section 12), exposing freezer section 10 and the rear aspect of section 12. It should be noted thatthere is thus a double access to section 12, from'its front aspect and from its rear aspect. This feature is of particular utility, since section 12 is thereby adapted to use as a dual-purpose section, either for segregating stored materials by class or type (one class at the front, one at the rear of the section), or for'extending the capacity of the sections to which section 12 is contiguous. For example, by placing within section 12' a thin vertical divider of sheet material, metal or plastic, and by also omitting inner door 34, the usable freezer capacity of the unit has been increased to roughly onehalf of the total capacity whileat the same time maintaining the separation usually desired between the freezer section'and the refrigerator section of acombination unit. In such a use of the rear .portion of section 12, the fact that the said portion is relatively narrow makes it PHI-1 ticularly suitable for storage of standard size frozen food packs in a vertical arrangement, avoiding. the conventional necessity for stacking such small items behind one another.

While the drawing shows the three sections 10, 12, and 14, asqof substantially equal depth, such a use of the embodiment might dictate a depth of section 12 greater than that of either section 10Ior section 14. Base 11 serves, in this embodiment, to house the refrigcrating unit, and also affords stability and a non-tipping quality to the refrigerator asa whole when one or more of the movable sections is swung open. In addition, should it be deemed desirableto provide, on the bottoms of sections 12 and/or 14, rollersor casters to support the weight of these sections as they are swung open, the top surface of base section 11 provides a smooth stable platform for such casters to operate upon, or permits of the placement of a guide track to aid in the movement of these sections.

Alternatively, with the movable sections self-supporting, a portion at least of the top of base 11 may be left open, allowing a portion of the spacewithin base section 11 to be used for storage. This is possible because the conventional compressor unit for the ordinary household refrigerator requires less space than is provided in base section 11. Base 11, if it is to be so used for storage, may be made proportionately higher, and may be provided with its own cooling coils, so as to act as a chest-type freezer or refrigerator.

Referring now to FIGURE 2, section 20* is a storage section provided with cooling coils, analogous to section It and base section 31 is a base housing the refrigerating unit, analogous to base 11. In this embodiment, however, section 20 and base section 31 are constructed, in at least their side portions, integrally. This integration of the sections provides increased strength in the union of these parts, and thus of the unit as a whole. It also facilitatates handling of the assembled unit, reduces the number of parts and operations required in assembly, and

obviates the need for one set of external scams or junctions.

Sections 12 and 14 are as in FIGURE l, as are handle parts 16 and 17. The features discussed in reference to FIGURE 1 apply equally to the unit shown in FIGURE 2,

FIGURE 3 shows a unit with the two movable sections opened. The view chosen applies equally to the embodiment of FIGURE 1 and of FIGURE 2. 30 is a rear stationary section, analogous to 11 or 20; it is fixed upon base. section 31. 32 is the internal storage space of section 30; shelves 33 are mounted within. An inner door 34 is shown between sections 3% and 12, and serves, in this embodiment, to prevent excessive loss of cool air from section 31 when movable section 12 is opened. Depending upon the number of sections actively cooled, inner door 34 may be dispensed with, or may also be provided between sections 12 and 14. 35 is a cover plate over the compartment in base section 31 housing the refrigerating unit; it is flush with the top of base 31, to permit the use of the top as a surface for optional casters or rollers with which movable sections 12 and 14 may be provided. As indicated, a refrigerating unit placed under cover plate 35 is readily accessible for repair or maintenance. Should it be desired to use base section 31 for storage, however, as in the manner previously described, the refrigerating unit would be located at the rear of section 31, which base section. would then be left with an opening. to provide access to storage space within.

16-17 are the double-acting handle mechanism, operating on latches indicated by 36 and 38.

Whilethe manner of hinging the various movable sections indicated in this and the other descriptions of the various embodiments of the invention utilizes conventional side-mounted hinges, it is to be understood thatany type of hinging may be used, as, for example, swing-out, automobile-type hinges, or top and bottom mounted pivot hinges, which would allow the opening of the movable sections without requiring appreciable clearance space at the hinge side of the unit. It is also to be-understood that the movable sections may be hinged oppositely to one another.

FIGURE 3a details, in enlarged cross-section, the arrangement and mechanism of the. handle and latch means indicated in previous figures. Sections 12 and 14 are the movable sections, hinged upon rear stationary section 30. Handle 16 is, independently of handle 17, pivotally mounted in section 14 by means of pivot 16a. Handle 16 is one end of a lever arm which bears upon its other end a latching detent which projects beyond the rear ofsection 14, and which latches, when section 14 is closed upon section 12, upon a latch plate 37a mounted in section 12. Space is provided above latch plate 37a and above detent 37 to allow upward motion of detent 37.

Handle 17 is one end of a similar lever arm which is, independently of 16, pivotally mounted in section 14 by means of pivot 17a. This second lever arm bears at its other end a detent, which projects beyond the rear of section 14. The portions of the lever arms of 16 and 17 which lie inward (rearward) of the pivots 16a and17a are connected together by a spring, 15. Thedetent of 17 does not latch upon a latch plate, but upon a mating pposed detent provided upon one end of another lever arm, 36, which lever arm is pivotally mounted in section 12 by means of pivot 36a. Space is provided above and below these mating detents to permit their motion upwards and downwards. The other end of lever arm 36 is likewise provided with a detent, which projects beyond the rear of section 12; this latter detent latches upon a latch plate in latch 38, which latch is mounted in section 39. This latch is also provided with space above the latch plate to allow for upward motion of the rear detent of lever arm 36.

In use, the operation is as follows: By pulling on handle 16, in an outward and somewhat downward manner, the lever arm of 16 is moved on pivot 16a, and rises rearwards of pivot 16a, releasing detent 37 from its latch plate 37a. Simultaneously, spring 15 serves to raise the corresponding portion of the lever arm of 17, which pivots on pivot 17a, releasing the detent of the lever arm from the mating detent of lever arm 36. Section 14 is thus freed of section 12, and may be swung open, leaving section 12 still firmly latched to section 30.

Alternatively, if handle 17 be pulled, in an outward and somewhat upward manner, the following results: spring 15 allows the lever arm of 17 to move down rearwards of pivot 17a, while latch plate 37a prevents any motion of the lever arm of 16, or the detent. 37. (Section 14 thus remains firmly latched to section 53.) Simultaneously with the downward motion of the rear portion of the lever arm of 17, the mating forward detent of lever arm 36 is forced downward, lever arm 36 pivoting on pivot 36a. The rear detent of lever arm 36 rises off the latch plate of latch 38, and the result is that the two outer movable sections, still latched together, may be swung open as a unit from rear section 34}.

By operating both handle parts 16 and 17, all three sections may be separated from one another. In the event that, with section 14 already opened, a user may desire to open section 12 from section 30, the front detent of lever arm 36 may be provided with a gripping surface, so that it may function as a handle providing another means of operating lever arm 36. Without any added gripping surface, however, it is feasible to operate said front detent manually.

The above arrangement of latching provides the added latching means, for section 14, of the lever arm of 16, and the detent 37, and latch plate 37a.

It should be noted that a simpler form of this doubleacting latching arrangement may be achieved by eliminating these parts entirely. In such a situation, handle 17 would be provided with an upward extension (i.e., analogous to 16). Pulling outward and slightly downward on this handle portion would release the detent of 17 from the detent of 36 in exactly the same manner as when handle 16 is operated similarly. Pulling outward and slightly upward on handle 17 would have the same effect as described above.

This arrangement, by eliminating separately pivoted handle 16, pivot 16a, spring 15, detent 37, and latch plate 37a, would undoubtedly be a preferred method for ordinary purposes in household type units.

Although the drawing, and the above description, refer to the latching detents being located upon the movable lever arms, it is to be understood that an arrangement in which the latch and detent portions, respectively, are interchanged (i.e., detents located as the latches above described, and latches consisting of latch plates and openings on suitable frames mounted on the lever arms) is contemplated as an alternative embodiment of the doubleacting latch and handle means herein described. The single handle and latch of a conventional refrigerator, in fact, commonly utilizes a method of a fixed projecting part acting as a detent, and mounted on the refrigerator body, a movable spring-loaded latching arm being pivotally mounted in the door.

FIGURE 4 illustrates still another embodiment of a compartmentalized refrigerator having a base section. In this case base section 41 underlies but two of the sections, but is otherwise analogous to the base sections previously described. Section 40 is fixed upon base 41, and is equiva lent to sections 16, 20, or 30 in previous illustrations. Section 42, the middle section, is hinged upon section 49 by means of hinges 45, and hinges also serve to hinge the front section, 44, upon section 42. Section 44 extends over the front of the shortened base section 41. Since, as previously noted, conventional household size refrigerating units commonly require less space than is provided by the full size base section, this arrangement allows greater storage capacity to be realized in the front section, while preserving the previously noted features afforded by the presence of a base. Alternatively, the embodiment shown in FIGURE 4 is adaptable to use of the entire unit as a freezer by placing in the lower portion of front section 44 another refrigerating unit with independent coils in section 44. This second cooling unit and coil arrangement, in conjunction with a refrigerating unit in base section 41 (or rear section 49) and the cooling coils in section 49, insure adequate maintenance of low temperatures in the passively cooled section 42. In such an adaptation of the embodiment, use of two inner doors, 34, would be appropriate.

FIGURE 4a details, in enlarged cross-section, an alternative handle and latch means adapted to the embodiment shown in FIGURE 4. Here, handle 47, pivoted at 47a, and having latch 47b, latches on the latch receiver at the front of section 42; the latch receiver need be substantially nothing more than a suitably shaped cut-out in the wall of section 42. Section 42, in turn, bears on its rear wall -a magnet 48, which latches upon magnetic material 49, in the front wall of section 49. In the usual manner of construction of refrigerator sections, wherein they are made of ferrous metals, a separate piece 49 is not needed. Obviously, the relationship of magnet 43 and magnetic material 49 may be reversed, the magnet 48 being, if elected, mounted at the front of section 40. Likewise, the magnet proper may be magnetic gasketor strip-material, rather than a discrete solid metallic magnet.

In use, pulling straight outward on handle 47, by leaving section 44 latched to section 42, allows the magnet latch to open from the metallic magnetic latch receiver material, separating section 42 from 49. Alternatively, pivoting handle 47 causes section 44 to be opened from section 42, without disengaging 42 from 40.

Alternatively, conventional latch and handle means may be provided, one handle being located at the front of section 44, another at the side of section 42.

FIGURE 5 illustrates an embodiment particularly adaptable to use as a dual-front unit for use in situations where two or more main work areas are located at either side of a central area. It will be seen that the unit in FIG. 5 has a stationary central section, 59, fixed upon a base section 51. Section 50 can be a freezer section, since it is accessible to both sides of the unit, and thus to two Work areas. The refrigerating unit is contemplated to be in base section 51, and cooling coils are arranged in section 59. Sections 52 and 54 are each respectively, in this embodiment, passively cooled movable sections, opening oppositely from either face of section 59. For convenience for right handed users, etc., the movable sections may be hinged at opposite sides of section 59, by means of hinges 55; so hinged, handles 56 are located oppositely as well. Inner doors 34 may be provided optionally; one is shown between section 56 and section 52 in FIGURE 6, which is a plan view of such a unit with the movable sections opened. The point of hinging of door '34 is not indicated, since, depending upon the arrangement desired, it may be hinged upon section 50, upon section 52, or between the sections. In this embodiment, handles 56 may be conventional type, operating on a conventional latch; alternatively, the system-s described in reference to FIG- URE 4 may be used. In this embodiment, if magnets or magnetic door-strip material is used to hold the sections closed, the handles 56, need be nothing more than a suitably shaped pull.

. In the foregoing discussion of the invention, it is to he understood that terms such as middle, front, rear, etc., are merely descriptive terms used with reference to the views of the embodiments illustrated. A given embodiment may have two fronts, or more than one middle section, etc.

Although the above discussion and description have been in terms of a limited number of embodiments of a floor-based, household type of unit, it is also to be understood that variations may be adopted Without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. For certain commercial uses, or for use in certain floor-plans, etc., it may be desirable to use a base section under only one main storage section, or to arrange the unit as other than a floor-based unit, etc.

What is claimed is:

1. A refrigerator unit comprising in combination an enclosed hollow base section containing a refrigerating unit, and at least one section fixedly secured to said base section and at least two movable sections arranged thereon face-to-face to form a sandwich having a front section, at least one middle section, and a rear section; at least one of said sections beingopen at its-front and rear faces; at least two of said sections each being closed on one face and open on one face, said. two closed sections each respectively being hinged upon said open section front and back, at at least one side, for Opening of said movable sections about their respective vertical axes, so that said movable sections may bevselectively each or. in combinations of adjacent sections rotated to provide access to themselves and to adjacent sections.

2. A refrigerator in accordance with claim 1, in which said base section is integral with saidfixedly secured section.

3. In a compartmentalized refrigerator having at least a front movable section, a middle movable section, and a rear section, handle and latch means for selectively opening said movable sections from one another or from said rear section, comprising: a latch receiver mounted at the front of said rear section; a movable linkage comprising at least one member pivotally mounted in said middle section and extending substantially therethrough and having at least front and rear ends, a latch receiver mounted at said frontend and a latch mounted at said rear end, said latch engaged by the latch receiver in said rear section and disengageable therefrom by motion of said movable linkage when said middle section latch receiver is moved; a second movable linkage comprising at least one member pivotally mounted in said front section in such a way as to be movable in opposite directions about a central position and extending substantially therethrough and having at least front and rear ends, a handle mounted at the front end of said second linkage and a latch mounted at the rear end thereof, said latch engaged by the latch receiver in said middle section and, selectively, disengageable therefrom by motion of said handle in such a way as to move said second linkage in one direction about said pivotal mounting, or, alternatively, movable while maintaining engagement therewith by motion of said handle in such a Way as to move said second linkage in the opposite direction about said pivotal mounting.

4. In a compartmentalized refrigerator having at least a front movable section, a middle movable section, and a rear section, handle and latch means for selectively opening said movable sections from one another or from said rear section, comprising: magnetic material mounted at the front of said rear section; at least one magnet mounted at the rear of said middle section, in latching relationship to said magnetic material; alatch receiver motinted at the front of said middle section; a movable linkage comprising at least one member pivotally mounted in said front section and extending substantially therethrough and having at least front and rear ends, a handle mounted at said front end and a latch mounted at said rear end, said latch engaged by the latchreceiver in said middle. section and disengageable therefrom by motion of said movable linkage when said handle is moved.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 379,665 Sanders Mar. 20, 1888 2,051,132 Dart Aug. 18, 1936 2,752,761 Lewis July 3, 1956 2,811,405 Formoso Oct. 29, 1957 2,945,733 Malia July 19, 1960 FOREIGN PATENTS 20,142 Great Britain Oct. 9, 1908 692,058 France 7..... July 28, 1930 847,760 France July 10, 1939 568,493 Italy Oct. 31, 1957 

1. A REFRIGERATOR UNIT COMPRISING IN COMBINATION AN ENCLOSED HOLLOW BASE SECTION CONTAINING A REFRIGERATING UNIT, AND AT LEAST ONE SECTION FIXEDLY SECURED TO SAID BASE SECTION AND AT LEAST TWO MOVABLE SECTIONS ARRANGED THEREON FACE-TO-FACE TO FORM A SANDWICH HAVING A FRONT SECTION, AT LEAST ONE MIDDLE SECTION, AND A REAR SECTION; AT LEAST ONE OF SAID SECTIONS BEING OPEN AT ITS FRONT AND REAR FACES; AT LEAST TWO OF SAID SECTIONS EACH BEING CLOSED ON ONE FACE AND OPEN ON ONE FACE, SAID TWO CLOSED SECTIONS EACH RESPECTIVELY BEING HINGED UPON SAID OPEN SECTION FRONT AND BACK, AT AT LEAST ONE SIDE, FOR OPENING OF SAID MOVABLE SECTIONS ABOUT THEIR RESPECTIVE VERTICAL AXES, SO THAT SAID MOVABLE SECTIONS MAY BE SELECTIVELY EACH OR IN COMBINATIONS OF ADJACENT SECTIONS ROTATED TO PROVIDE ACCESS TO THEMSELVES AND TO ADJACENT SECTIONS. 